Shooting game machine

ABSTRACT

A shooting game machine includes a shell, a gun, and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly. The goal-and-carrier assembly includes a base located in and attached to the shell, a carrier movably supported on the base, and at least one goal unit. The goal unit includes a frame supported on the carrier, a goal pivotally connected to the frame between a raised position and a shut-down position, a crank rotationally connected to the frame, a lever connecting the goal to the crank, a turntable rotationally connected to the frame, magnets attached to the turntable. The magnets attract the crank so that the goal is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet. A motor is operatively connected to the turntable. The motor rotates the turntable when the goal reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal reaches the raised position.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a shooting game machine and, moreparticularly, to a shooting game machine being capable of raising atleast one shut-down goal.

2. Related Prior Art

There are two types of shooting game machines. The first type can becalled the “virtual type.” In the virtual type, a shooting game machineincludes an optical emitter for emitting a ray of light and an opticalreceiver for receiving the ray. The second type can be called the“physical type.” In the physical type, a shooting game machine includesa gun for shooting bullets and at least one goal for encountering thebullets.

The physical type includes two subclasses. The first subclass can becalled the “disposable type.” In the disposable type, a shooting gamemachine includes at least one disposable goal such as a balloon. Thesecond subclass can be called the “recoverable type.” In the recoverabletype, a shooting game machine includes at least one recoverable goalthat can be shut down and manually returned to its original position.The manual maneuvering of the recoverable goal is however inconvenient.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide ashooting game machine being capable of raising at least one shut-downgoal.

To achieve the foregoing objective, a shooting game machine includes ashell, a gun located in front of the shell, and at least onegoal-and-carrier assembly. The goal-and-carrier assembly includes a baselocated in and attached to the shell, a carrier movably supported on thebase, and at least one goal unit. The goal unit includes a framesupported on the carrier, a goal pivotally connected to the framebetween a raised position and a shut-down position, a crank rotationallyconnected to the frame, a lever connecting the goal to the crank, aturntable rotationally connected to the frame, and magnets attached tothe turntable. The magnets are evenly located around the axis of theturntable. The magnets attract the crank so that the goal is retained inthe raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet. A motor isoperatively connected to the turntable. The motor rotates the turntablewhen the goal reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goalreaches the raised position.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention willbe apparent from the following description referring to the attacheddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of thepreferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shooting game machine according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a goal-and-carrier assembly of theshooting game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is another partial view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shownin FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the goal-and-carrier assembly inanother position than shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a shooting game machine includes a shell 1, a gun 2located on the shell 1, and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly 3located in the shell 1 according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. A user operates the gun 2 to shoot thegoal-and-carrier assembly 3 with plastic bullets for example.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, the goal-and-carrier assembly 3 includesa base 31, a carrier 32 movably located on the base 31, and at least onegoal unit supported on the carrier 32. The base 31 includes two tracks311, two beams 312, two limit switches 313 and a protective panel 314.The beams 312 are located in and attached to the housing 1. Each of thetracks 311 is preferably a rod extending between the beams 312. Each ofthe limit switches 313 is attached to a related one of the beams 312.Each of the limit switches 313 is preferably an optical elementincluding an optical emitter for emitting a ray of light and an opticalreceiver for receiving the ray. The protective panel 314 is attached tothe beams 312 and located in front of the carrier 32 and most elementsof the goal unit.

The carrier 32 includes a motor 321, three axles 322, 323 and 324, threepair of wheels 325, a worm gear 326, a worm 327, security elements 328and two reflectors 329. The motor 321 is supported on the carrier 32.The axles 322, 323 and 324 are rotationally connected to the carrier 32.Each pair of wheels 325 is connected to a related one of the axles 322,323 and 324. The worm 327 is axially connected to a mandrel of the motor321. The worm gear 326 is axially connected to the axle 323. The wormgear 326 is engaged with the worm 327. Thus, the motor 321 is operableto rotate the pair of wheels 325 connected to the axle 323 to move thecarrier 32 on the base 31, i.e., along the tracks 311. Each of thesecurity elements 328 is an L-shaped strip including a section attachedto the carrier 32 and another section for hooking a related one of thetracks 311. Thus, the carrier 32 is retained on the base 31. Thereflectors 329 are located to the carrier 32. Each of the reflectors 329is made and located corresponding to a related one of the limit switches313.

The goal unit includes a frame 33, a goal 36, a crank 35, a lever 37, aturntable 34, a motor 331, a first sensor 38 and a second sensor 39. Thegoal 36 is pivotally connected to the frame 33. The crank 35 isrotationally connected to the frame 33. The lever 37 connects the goal36 to the crank 35. The turntable 34 is rotationally connected to theframe 33. The turntable 34 pivots the crank 35 in a manner to bedescribed. The motor 331 is operatively connected to the turntable 34.The first sensor 38 and the second sensor 39 are attached to the frame33. The first sensor 38 turns off the motor 331, and the second sensor39 turns on the motor 331 in a manner to be described.

The frame 33 includes opposite internal and external walls extendingfrom a floor. The floor of the frame 33 is attached to the carrier 32 sothat the frame 33 is movable together with the carrier 32. A motor 331is attached to the external wall of the frame 33, with a mandrel of themotor 331 extending through the external wall of the frame 33.

The goal 36 includes a front face for encountering bullets and a back towhich a lug 361 is attached. The goal 36 is pivotally connected to thewalls of the frame 33 with a pin.

The crank 35, in the form of a sector, is rotationally supported on themandrel of the motor 331 so that the crank 35 can be rotated relative tothe motor 331. That is, the rotation of the mandrel of the motor 331does not cause the rotation of the crank 35. A nut 351 is attached tothe crank 35. The crank 35 is made of a ferromagnetic material.

With a screw and a nut, a first end of the lever 37 is pivotallyconnected to the lug 361 of the goal 36. Another screw is insertedthrough a second end of the lever 37 and engaged with the nut 351 of thecrank 35 so that the second end of the lever 37 is pivotally connectedto the crank 35.

The turntable 34 is connected to the mandrel of the motor 331 so thatthe turntable 34 can be rotated together with the mandrel of the motor331. The turntable 34 includes apertures 342 defined therein and evenlylocated around the axis thereof. A magnet 341 is located in each of theapertures 342. A disc 343 is attached to the turntable 34 to retain themagnets 341 in the apertures 342. However, in another embodiment, theapertures 342 can be replaced with recesses that do not extend throughthe turntable 34, and the disc 343 are omitted.

The first sensor 38 and the second sensor 39 are attached to theinternal wall of the frame 33. On detecting that the goal 36 reaches araised position, the first sensor 38 turns off the motor 331. To thisend, the first sensor 38 is directed upwards. On detecting that the goal36 reaches a shut-down position, the second sensor 39 turns on the motor331. To this end, the first sensor 38 is directed forwards. Each of thesensors 38 and 39 is preferably an optical element including an opticalemitter for emitting a ray of light and an optical receiver forreceiving the ray. The sensors 38 and 39 are similar to the limitswitches 313.

In operation, the motor 321 causes the carrier 32 to carry the goal unitto and fro along tracks 311 of the base 31. Each of the reflectors 329reflects the ray emitted from the optical emitter of a related one ofthe limit switches 313 back to the optical receiver of the same limitswitch 313 to indicate that the carrier 32 has reached a limit. That is,each limit switch 313 detects the related reflector 329. Each limitswitch 313 instructs the motor 321 to turn to an opposite direction ondetecting the related reflector 329.

Referring to FIG. 5, the goal 36 is in the raised position. On detectingthis, the first sensor 38 stops the operation of the motor 331. The goal36 is retained in the raised position further because it is supported bythe lever 37 that is in turn supported by the crank 35 that is in turnis attracted to some of the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34.The protective panel 314 protects the carrier 32 and the elements of thegoal unit except the goal 36.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user operates the gun 2 to shoot the goal 36with bullets. When a bullet effectively hits the goal 36, the bullettransfers an adequate momentum to the goal 36. The adequate momentumexerted on the goal 36 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the crank 35to the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34. The magnets 342attached to the turntable 34 let go the crank 35 that in turn fails tosupport the lever 37 that in turns fails to support the goal 36.Eventually, the goal 36 stops falling and gets attracted to some othersof the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34. The goal 36 reaches theshut-down position. On detecting this, the second sensor 39automatically actuates the operation of the motor 331 and returns thegoal 36 to the raised position shown in FIG. 5.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustrationof the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derivevariations from the preferred embodiment without departing from thescope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodimentshall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in theclaims.

1. A shooting game machine including a shell (1), a gun (2) located infront of the shell (1), and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly (3)including: a base (31) located in and attached to the shell (1); acarrier (32) movably supported on the base (31); and at least one goalunit including: a frame (33) supported on the carrier (32); a goal (36)pivotally connected to the frame (33) between a raised position and ashut-down position; a crank (35) rotationally connected to the frame(33); a lever (37) connecting the goal (36) to the crank (35); aturntable (34) rotationally connected to the frame (33); magnets (342)attached to the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342) are evenlylocated around the axis of the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342)attract the crank (35) so that the goal (36) is retained in the raisedposition until it is effectively hit by a bullet; and a motor (331)connected to the turntable (34), wherein the motor (331) rotates theturntable (34) when the goal (36) reaches the shut-down position andstops when the goal (36) reaches the raised position.
 2. The shootinggame machine according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (32) includes atleast two axles (322, 323, 324) rotationally attached thereto and a pairof wheels (325) connected to each of the axles (322, 323, 324).
 3. Theshooting game machine according to claim 2, wherein the carrier (32)includes a motor (321), a worm (327) operatively connected to the motor(321) thereof, and a worm gear (326) axially connected to one of theaxles (323) and engaged with the worm (327).
 4. The shooting gamemachine according to claim 3, wherein the base (31) includes two limitswitches (313) each located near and end thereof for instructing themotor (321) of the carrier (32) to turn to an opposite direction ondetecting the carrier (32).
 5. The shooting game machine according toclaim 4, wherein the limit switches (313) are optical elements.
 6. Theshooting game machine according to claim 5, wherein the carrier (32)includes two reflectors (329) each for reflecting a ray of light emittedfrom a related one of the limit switches (313) back to the limit switch(313 to indicate the coming of the carrier (32).
 7. The shooting gamemachine according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (32) includes at leastone security element (328) for sliding engagement with the base (31) toretain the carrier (32) on the base (31).
 8. The shooting game machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the base (31) includes a protective panel(314) located thereon for protecting the elements of thegoal-and-carrier assembly (3) except the goal (36).
 9. The shooting gamemachine according to claim 1, wherein the goal unit includes: a firstsensor (38) for turning on the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36)reaching the shut-down position; and a second sensor (39) for turningoff the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36) reaching the raisedposition.
 10. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, whereinthe turntable (34) includes apertures (342) each for receiving a relatedone of the magnets (341).
 11. A shooting game machine including a shell(1), a gun (2) supported on the shell (1), and at least onegoal-and-carrier assembly (3) including: a base (31) located in andattached to the shell (1); a carrier (32) movably supported on the base(31); and at least one goal unit including: a frame (33) supported onthe carrier (32); a goal (36) pivotally connected to the frame (33)between a raised position and a shut-down position; a crank (35)rotationally connected to the frame (33); a lever (37) connecting thegoal (36) to the crank (35); a turntable (34) rotationally connected tothe frame (33); magnets (342) attached to the turntable (34), whereinthe magnets (342) are evenly located around the axis of the turntable(34), wherein the magnets (342) attract the crank (35) so that the goal(36) is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by abullet; and a motor (331) operatively connected to the turntable (34),wherein the motor (331) rotates the turntable (34) when the goal (36)reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal (36) reaches theraised position; a first sensor (38) for turning on the motor (331) ondetecting the goal (36) reaching the shut-down position; and a secondsensor (39) for turning off the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36)reaching the raised position.
 12. The shooting game machine according toclaim 11, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least two axles (322,323, 324) rotationally attached thereto and a pair of wheels (325)connected to each of the axles (322, 323, 324).
 13. The shooting gamemachine according to claim 12, wherein the carrier (32) includes a motor(321), a worm (327) operatively connected to the motor (321) thereof,and a worm gear (326) axially connected to one of the axles (323) andengaged with the worm (327).
 14. The shooting game machine according toclaim 13, wherein the base (31) includes two limit switches (313) eachlocated near and end thereof for instructing the motor (321) of thecarrier (32) to turn to an opposite direction on detecting the carrier(32).
 15. The shooting game machine according to claim 14, wherein thelimit switches (313) are optical elements.
 16. The shooting game machineaccording to claim 15, wherein the carrier (32) includes two reflectors(329) each for reflecting a ray of light emitted from a related one ofthe limit switches (313) back to the limit switch (313) to indicate thecoming of the carrier (32).
 17. The shooting game machine according toclaim 11, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least one securityelement (328) for sliding engagement with the base (31) to retain thecarrier (32) on the base (31).
 18. The shooting game machine accordingto claim 11, wherein the base (31) includes a protective panel (314)located thereon for protecting the elements of the goal-and-carrierassembly (3) except the goal (36).
 19. The shooting game machineaccording to claim 11, wherein the turntable (34) includes apertures(342) each for receiving a related one of the magnets (341).